ARTWORK MARKS DAY FARAGE NEARLY DIED
AWELSH artist has provoked a withering put-down from Ukip after producing artwork entitled “Commemorating the Anniversary of the day Nigel Farage nearly died”.
Cardiff-based artist Mark James has produced a commemorative plate, right, and pin badge depicting the former Ukip leader narrowly avoiding death, emerging from the wreckage of a plane crash on May 6, 2010.
Mark explained that the work wasn’t meant to be distasteful but a commentary on how the world may have turned out differently without the emergence of the polarising for- mer-Ukip leader.
He said: “This isn’t about wishing anyone dead. It’s about how different things would have been in this country – and Europe – right now if things had turned out differently on that first Thursday of May in 2010.
“Would Brexit have happened? Would the far right be on the rise? Would the Tories have adopted such extreme views? Nigel Farage has divided the country like never before.”
The artist and graphic designer said that the badges have been produced but aren’t for sale and the plate will be produced roduced for a forthcoming show. A limited edition dition print will be produced as well.
In response, , a Ukip spokesman railed at the artist’s ‘desire for c ontroversy’’ and questioned d what he had actually achieved eved compared to their former leader. The spokesman said: “Meh. The startling and ground-breaking courage of this potter cannot be over-esti over-estimated. He has a const constant desire for controv troversy, as his boastin ing biography m makes clear. “Well, crack on chap, crack on. At least Mr Farage and Ukip have the k knowledge that, d despite the carping an and contempt of the oh-s oh-so-relevant dribbling c classes, which the artist so ably represents, they were able to give the people of this country a choice over who governs them going into the future.
“What has he done? A couple of interiors, some screen prints and a distasteful plate. Well done, young man.”
Mark James is renowned for his ground-breaking, conceptual work. A regular collaborator with Super Furry Animals, in 2004 he hit the headlines after producing a “football hooligan” doll.
Last year he also fooled the public into believing a meteor had plunged into the Bristol Channel, a hoax staged to promote his work as part of a visual arts festival in Cardiff last October.